The Week That Changed The World Devotional March 17
by David Joynt on March 17, 2024
Stress Test Devotional April 27
April 27, 2024
MARK 14:12-16 | 12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
Why is this room reservation story included in the gospel? With all the important events and deep theological ideas, it seems odd that we have five verses on arrangements in such a compact narrative.
I believe these verses are here to show Jesus’ intentions. He sought and prearranged an intimate location, a private room, for His final moments with His disciples. Soon He would be arrested and tried and made a prisoner. But beforehand, He wanted private and special moments to teach and prepare His friends for the cross, the Resurrection, and the beginning of a new movement.
Do you plan for moments of special intimacy and connection?
Gracious God,
Help us to be intentional about friendship and intimacy. May we equip and encourage our friends as Jesus did His.
Amen.
